Ajeesh's tragic end in neighbour's front yard; stomped to death by wild elephant 'Belur Magna'; people rage

MANANTHAVADY: A huge public outcry erupted after Ajeesh (47) was trampled to death at Padamala Mananthavadi by a wild elephant that had been released by Karnataka with a radio collar attached to it. All the people took to the streets. The government issued an order to capture the elephant by tranquillizing it, but the people did not calm down. Subsequently, Forest Minister AK Saseendran Kozhikode announced that Ajeesh's dependents would be given financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh and his wife a government job. The government will also bear the cost of his children's education.

A wild elephant named Belur Magna, a problematic wild elephant that the Karnataka Forest Department fitted with a radio collar and released into the Molahalli forest on November 30, took the life of farmer Ajeesh near the tourist resort of Kuruva Island. The elephant had entered the Kerala border around one o'clock in the morning. At three o'clock, the elephant reached the municipal limits of Mananthavadi.

Ajeesh had gone down to the road to call the workers after seven o'clock in the morning. Ajeesh and others on the road ran for their lives when they saw the mauling elephant. With the elephant following, Ajeesh and Sanju who were with him jumped over the gate to the premises of his friend Jomon's house.

Ajeesh, who fell on the ground while trying to run, was picked up by the elephant that broke through the gate. The elephant threw him on the ground and trampled him. After that, the elephant went to the top of a nearby hill and settled down.

Ajeesh is the son of Kunjumon and Elsy. Wife: Sheeba. Children: Alna (8th class student MGM School, Mananthavadi) Alan (4th class student Govt L.P. School, Kurukkanmula).

The cremation will take place today at three o'clock at St. Alphonse Church Cemetery, Padamala.

Elephant is still on top of the hill

1. The elephant that went up the hill yesterday morning is still there. It is hoped that it will leave by night
2. The elephant may go back the way it came to the island of Kurua and from there cross the Kabani River to the Karnataka forest. It will not be tranquillized at night. If the elephant is tranquillized today, it will be moved to Muthanga
3. RPF team and forest guards are stationed near the hill. Kunki elephants have been brought in. If the elephant leaves, it will be followed, if it stays in Kerala, it will be caught during the day.
4. Thanneer Komban, a wild elephant of Karnataka, had reached Mananthavadi city on 2nd February. It was tranquillized and captured but died in Bandipur Elephant Camp.